Effects of Random Circuit Fabrication Errors on Small Signal Gain and on Output Phase In a Traveling Wave Tube

POSTER

Abstract

Random fabrication errors may have detrimental effects on the performance of traveling-wave tubes (TWTs) of all types. A new scaling law for the modification in the average small signal gain and in the output phase is derived from the third order ordinary differential equation that governs the forward wave interaction in a TWT in the presence of random error that is distributed along the axis of the tube. Analytical results compare favorably with numerical results, in both gain and phase modifications as a result of random error in the phase velocity of the slow wave circuit. Results on the effect of the reverse-propagating circuit mode will be reported.

*This work supported by AFOSR, ONR, L-3 Communications Electron Devices, and Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Authors

  • I.M. Rittersdorf

    • University of Michigan
    • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  • Thomas Antonsen

    • University of Maryland
    • University of Maryland, College Park
    • University of Maryland, College Park, MD

  • D. Chernin

    • Science Applications International Corporation

  • Y.Y. Lau

    • University of Michigan
    • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
    • U of Michigan, Ann Arbor
    • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor